Celestron Advanced VX800 8-Inch (RASA) Telescope with PowerTank Lithium Pro Bundle
- mfr: 12035
- SKU: 12032-K1
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Product highlights
- Incredibly fast f/2.0 system
- Flat field free of optical aberrations
- Patented optical design
- For use with CMOS, smaller CCD, and mirrorless cameras
- Ultra-Stable Focus System
- Integrated air cooling system and filter mount
- CGE dovetail mounting rail
- Weighs just 17 pounds making it portable
- Performs over a wider spectral range from 390-800 nm
- Computerized German Equatorial Mount
Celestron Advanced VX800 8-Inch (RASA) Telescope with PowerTank Lithium Pro Bundle
Celestron RASA 8 8-Inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph
Capture spectacular wide-field deep sky images in seconds with Celestron 8-Inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA 8). This incredibly fast f/2.0 system is the perfect companion to today’s color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras. Thanks to its fast focal ratio and patented optical design, you can produce sharp, detailed images and, in many cases, skip the autoguider completely. Weighing in at just 17 pounds, it’s easy to transport your 8-inch RASA to the most remote dark sky locations.
RASA Performance Made for Everyone
The 8-inch RASA is an imaging telescope that delivers a flat field without optical aberrations for razor sharp stars across a wide field of view. It can capture stunning deep-sky astronomical images without the challenges typically presented by longer focal length instruments at a fraction of the cost of those systems. With the 8-inch RASA, a wider range of astroimagers can enjoy the benefits of the RASA design. It includes features such as the integrated air-cooling system, internal filter mount, and sturdy CGE dovetail mounting bar. Purely designed for imaging, the 8-inch RASA cannot be used visually. The prime focus focal plane is located at the front of the optical system, so it cannot accommodate a traditional eyepiece.
Shorter Exposure Times and Virtual Real-Time Observing
Since it is an F/2.0 optical system, imagers can use shorter exposure times to capture detail in faint objects. When combined with sensitive cameras and the proper live stacking software, the 8-inch RASA can provide an almost real-time observing experience. View images on a computer instantly that are brighter and more detailed than can be seen in much bigger telescopes with the naked eye.
Because shorter exposure times are possible, your equatorial mount won’t need to accurately track over extended periods. This astrograph is relatively short 400mm focal length and also lessens equatorial tracking demands. In many cases, autoguiding will not be required. Weighing only 17 lb, this optical tube pairs perfectly with a wide variety of mounts.
Unique Optical Design
RASA’s optical design is patented (US 2016/0299331 A1) consisting of a Schmidt corrector, primary mirror, lens group, and optical window. The lens group contains 4 elements and utilizes rare-earth elements. Unlike many telescopes that only perform well over the visible spectrum (400-700nm), the optic is designed to perform over a wider spectral range, from 390-800nm. This allows more of the light emitted from the astronomical object to be sharply focused in the image. All refractive optical surfaces are coated with StarBright XLT coatings, while the primary mirror uses enhanced aluminum coatings. This maintains high light transmission through the entire optical system and provides better optical performance and field illumination.
Ultra-Stable Focus System
With the launch of the 8-inch RASA, Celestron is unveiling a new focuser design that mitigates lateral movement of the primary mirror when focusing, slewing, or tracking with the astrograph. Focusing is easier, more accurate, and more stable than ever. The key to the Ultra-Stable Focus System is two sets of precision bearings that are precisely aligned and tested during assembly to ensure optimal results.
Built for Today’s Latest Cameras
Unlike the larger RASAs that work with DSLR and large CCD cameras, the 8-inch model was designed with color astronomical CMOS cameras, smaller CCD cameras, and mirrorless cameras in mind. The telescope does not work with standard DSLR cameras. It is optimized for sensors with up to a 22mm diagonal, but performs well with sensors up to 32mm diagonal. The APS-C sized sensors used in many mirrorless cameras are a good choice. The 42mm full frame sensors will also work, but performance will be poor at the edges of the sensor and field illumination will be reduced.
Celestron Advanced VX GoTo Mount
Engineered from the ground up with astroimaging in mind, the new Advanced VX series from Celestron sets a new standard in mid-level telescopes. Advanced VX provides you with many of the features found on Celestron’s most sophisticated German equatorial mounts, at an extremely affordable price. Experienced imagers will love taking this portable mount to a dark sky site, with all the performance of their larger observatory mount. Or, if you’re new to imaging, this mount will help you get started with the hobby and keep up with your needs for years to come.
Design
Celestron's Advanced VX Mount is an integrated telescope support, alignment and guiding system and was specifically designed to provide optimum imaging performance for smaller telescopes. The mount holds a maximum instrument capacity of 30 lbs. This mount packs some of the features found on more sophisticated German Equatorial mounts, minus the added bulk or cost. Now your smaller telescope can take advantage of All-Star Polar Alignment and autoguider support. Advanced VX features significantly larger base castings than the previous design, improving stability under heavier loads.
Motors
To enhance tracking performance, the mount features permanently programmable Periodic Error Correction (PEC). PEC eliminates recurring track errors from the worm gear to prevent trailing and improve photographs. You’ll also be able to track through long exposures using the PEC. The Advanced VX improved motors offer more torque and can handle slight load imbalances with ease.
Features
An updated industrial design offers more rigidity, less flexure and improved aesthetics. The new design allows viewing or imaging across the meridian without interference from the motors housings, so you can seamlessly image the best part of the night sky. With the enhanced latitude range, the telescope can be used between 7 – 77° latitude allowing for a larger range of view. The improved electronics contain increased memory for future expansion. The mount has an adjustable stainless steel tripod and a 12 lb. counterweight for extra stability.
Technologies
Start observing celestial objects with the push of a button on the NexStar+ Hand Control. It's pre-loaded with a huge database of over 40,000 celestial objects. Automatically slew to objects in a variety of catalogs, including the Messier, NGC, Caldwell, and SAO brightest stars. NexStar+ hand control offers multiple language programming (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish). For enhanced pointing and tracking accuracy, the mount features Celestron's All-Star Polar Alignment. This system uses multiple guide stars to assist tracking across the night sky while keeping the optical tube parallel to the Earth's axis of rotation.
Observers and astroimagers will be impressed by the seamless operation the Advanced VX SkyAlign function. It makes computerized aligning of the telescope fast, easy, and accurate--simply point at any three bright objects in the sky and the telescope aligns itself. Navigation and tracking of the night's sky is as easy as pushing a button once the telescope is precision aligned.
Specifications
Celestron RASA 8 8-Inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph
Aperture | 8-inch/200mm |
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Optical Design | Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt |
Focal Length | 400mm |
Celestron RASA 8 8-Inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph
Weight | 17 lb (7.7 kg) |
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Celestron RASA 8 8-Inch Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph
Blocking Filter | Not Available |
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Celestron Advanced VX GoTo Mount
Mount Design | CG-4 Telescope |
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Mount Mechanism | Computerized (Go To) |
Configuration | Core |
Color | Black |
Questions
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